Sight-thru telescopic sight mount

ABSTRACT

A telescopic sight mount for operatively securing a telescopic sight to the receiver or similar portion of a firearm and comprising a pair of apertured base members adapted to be installed directly on the firearm and detachably support pairs of split ring retaining members fixedly secured to an associated telescopic sight, the sight mount permitting use of standard &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;iron&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; sights on the firearm without requiring removal of the telescopic sight and providing a new and improved means for conveniently interchanging telescopic sights.

United States Patent Williams 51 June 20, 1972 [54] SIGHT-THRU TELESCOPIC SIGHT MOUNT [72] Inventor: Paul D. William, Davison, Mich.

[731 Assignee: Williams Gun Sight Co., Davison, Mich.

[22] Filed: June 12, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 45,841

[52] US. Cl. ..248/205 R, 33/50 R, 248/225 [58] Field of Search ..248/205, 223, 224, 225, 226;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 958,989 5/l9l0 Bennett ..33/50 2,094,623 10/1937 Stokey ..33/5O Meisel ..33/s0 lvy ....33/so lvy ..33/so Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attorney-Hamess, Dickey & Pierce ABSTRACT A telescopic sight mount for operatively securing a telescopic sight to the receiver or similar portion of a firearm and comprising a pair of apertured base members adapted to be installed directly on the firearm and detachably support pairs of split ring retaining members fixedly secured to an associated telescopic sight, the sight mount permitting use or standard iron" sights on the firearm without requiring removal of the telescopic sight and providing a new and improved means for conveniently interchanging telescopic sights.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SIGHT-TI-IRU TELESCOPIC SIGHT MOUNT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Telescopic sights adapted for firearm mounting are commercially available to the sportsman, hunter, marksman, etc. in numerous forms, each of which is designed to fulfill a particular preference or objective. Some of the variables that are considered in selecting telescopic sights are the optic power of the sight, the relative brightness afforded, the type of reticle, and the degree of and means for providing windage and elevation adjustment. When the proper telescopic sight has been selected, the firearm user is, of course, desirous of being able to conveniently mount or install the sight, and the ease of such installation is dependent upon the particular sight mount utilized.

Traditionally telescopic sight mounts generally comprise a one or two piece base member which is adapted to be affixed to the receiver or some other portion of the firearm. In the case of a single piece base, there is generally provided on opposite longitudinal ends, an integral half cradle adapted to receive the underside of the telescopic sight. The sight itself is afiixed within the cradle by one or more concave half-ring elements which are detachably connected, by suitable screws, etc. to the base member, thereby securing the sight to the mount by the compressive strapping action of the rings. When the base is comprised of two separate units, such units are longitudinally spaced or oriented and define a pair of aligned cradie-like recesses within which the telescopic sight is nestingly received. As with one-piece constructions, one or more upper half-ring elements are used to strap the sight within the mount. With either type of sight mount, removal or interchanging of the sight generally requires the detachment of the connecting means, i.e., screws, etc. which secure any elements to the lower base. This necessitates the removal of the screws and requires the complete separation of the elements from the lower base or bases, as the case may be. Unfortunately, the retaining screws are occasionally lost in the process, thereby rendering the entire scope mount inoperative until replacement retaining screws can be obtained.

One particular type of telescopic sight mount that has found considerable commercial acceptance, and to which the present invention is directed, includes a central longitudinal aperture or apertures (depending on whether a one or twopiece base is used), that permits an instant view of the standard iron sights on the firearm. This is recognized as a distinct advantage since it allows use of either the telescopic sight or the iron sights, without requiring detaching of the telescopic sight. The primary disadvantage, however, to conventional telescopic sight mounts, i.e., the inconvenience of changing from one telescopic sight to another, still applies to such seethru" style sight mounts, and it is to this objectionable characteristic that this present invention is addressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to means for attaching a telescopic sight to a firearm and, more particularly, to a novel telescopic sight mounting device which is readily and conveniently adapted to permit interchanging of telescopic sights. The sight mount is comprised essentially of a pair of lower apertured base members which are adapted to be affixed to the firearm, and a pair of sight-retaining members adapted to be secured directly to the body of an associated telescopic sight and be detachably secured to the base members.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved sight mount of the above character which permits removing the telescopic sight without necessitating the disassociation of the split ring retaining or mounting members or requiring removal of the mount base affixed to the firearm.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide a new and improved telescopic sight mount of the above described type which includes positive retention means between the lower base members and the upper split ring members capable of effectively withstanding the recoil action that occurs during operation of the associated firearm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a telescopic sight mount that permits quicker, more convenient interchanging of telescopic sights.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a telescopic sight mount of the see-thru" variety having apertured base members providing a large down range field of view.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a telescopic sight mount which is lightweight and may be precision machined so as not to alter the balance of the rifle, and which is also extremely compact and weather resistant.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a telescopic sight mount which is adapted to receive telescopic sights having increased diameter ocular and objective ends.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an exploded assembly view of the telescopic sight mount of the present invention, as shown in operative association with the receiver portion of a conventional firearm;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the firearm and telescopic sight mount illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, with the extreme righthand portion of the sight mount fragmentarily broken away;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4'-4 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4. I

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED v EMBODlMENT With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rearward section of a conventional firearm is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and is shown as comprising a receiver portion 12 engaged with and secured to a firearm stock 14 in a manner common in the art. At the rearward end of the receiver 12, a conventional iron sight in the form of a receiver peep sight I6 is mounted, the sight 16 being adapted for conventional use in conjunction with a suitable front or forward sight (not shown) on the muzzle end of the firearm barrel 17.

A conventional telescopic firearm sight is indicated generally at 20 and is illustrated as having an increased diameter ocular end portion 22, an increased diameter objective end portion 24, and a central or intermediate tubular portion 26. The sight 20 is shown as having conventional windage and/or elevation adjustment means 27.

A sight-thru telescopic sight mount, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, is generally designated by the numeral 28 and is shown as comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced mount assemblies 30. Each of the assemblies 30 includes a lower apertured base member 32 and a telescopic sight retaining member 34 having a lower split ring 36 and an upper split ring 38. The lower apertured base members 32, as best observed in FIG. 3, are essentially ring-shaped in transverse cross-section and have integral downwardly depending mounting portions 40 on the lower sides thereof which define concave surfaces 41 formed about a radius'corresponding or complementary to that of the receiver portion 12. The uppermost part of each of the base members 32, herein designated by the numeral 42, defines an essentially horizontal flat face 43 upon which an upwardly projecting integral tenon 44 is formed. The interior or confronting surfaces of the mounting portions 40, the upper portions 42, and a pair of integral segmental annular side wall sections 46 of each of the base members 32 define relatively large longitudinally aligned apertures 50 adapted to provide a large field of view for operation of the firearm 10 with its iron sights I6, etc.

,As best observed in FIG. 2, one end (preferably the rearward end) of the mounting portion 40 of each of the base members 32 is longitudinally extended beyond the associated upper portion 42 and is designated by the numeral 51. The extended ends 51, together with the integral wall sections 46, define concavely shaped transverse surfaces 52 which, in accordance with a preferred orientation of the mount 28, face rearwardly and expose a downwardly projecting bore 53 in each of the members 32. Countersunk recesses or counterbores 54 are provided in the exposed upper ends of the bores 53 and with the bores 53, are adapted to receive mounting screws (not shown) having enlarged head portions thereon, which mounting screws are adapted to be threadably received within suitable vertically oriented threaded apertures 55 in the top of the receiver 12 for fixedly securing the base members 32 thereto.

A second countersunk bore 56 is provided in the forward end of the mounting portion 40 of each of the members 32, whereby an additional mounting screw 57 may be employed to threadably affix the forward ends of the base members 32 to the firearm l0. Overhead access to the bores 56 is provided by access apertures 58 formed in the upper portions 42 of the members 32 and arranged in general vertical alignment with the bores 56. Hence, it will be apparent that the lower apertured base members 32 may be threadably affixed to the receiver 12 in a convenient manner by virtue of the fact that vertical access is provided to operate a vertically oriented hand tool, such as a screwdriver or the like, in securing both of the mounting screws for each of the base members 32.

With reference to FIG. 3, one longitudinally extending face 59 of each of the upwardly projecting tenons 44 is inclined downwardly and inwardly whereas its opposing face 60 is generally vertically oriented, whereby the tenons 44 resembly half dovetail projections in transverse cross-section. A vertical threaded bore 62 is provided at one end of the generally flat, horizontal upper surface 43, defined on the upper portion 42 of each of the members 32, the bores 62 being located adjacent the vertical faces 60 and adapted to threadably receive suitable set screws or the like 64. As will hereinafter be described, the tenons 44 and set screws 64 provide for longitudinally slidable interconnection and proper orientation of the telescope retaining members 34 on the base members 32.

The lower split ring 36 of each of the telescope retaining members 34 comprises a generally flat lower surface 66 having a longitudinally extending, upwardly projecting recess 68 of complementary shape in transverse cross-section with respect to the tenons 44 and adapted for longitudinal sliding engagement therewith. Slidable interconnection between the split rings 36 and the base members 32 is longitudinally restricted by vertical transverse shoulders 72 defined by underc uts 73 on the lower surfaces 66, the shoulders 72 adapted to contact the upper ends of the set screws 64, whereby the shoulders 72 and set screws 64 act as a stop means to longitudinally orient the split rings 36 upon the base members 32.

Each of the split rings 36 is adapted to be fixedly secured to the associated one of the base members 32 by means of one or more suitable set screws or the like 74 disposed within transverse threaded bores 76 in the lower ends of the split rings 36 and adapted for engagement with the vertical side walls 60 of the tenons 44. it will be appreciated that when the set screws 64 are threadably advanced into engagement with the tenons 44, the lower ring members 36 will be fixedly connected to the associated of the lower base members 32; conversely, slidably disassociation, i.e., removal of the rings 36 from the base members 32, will be readily permitted by threadably retracting the set screws 64, from engagement with the side walls 60 of the tenons 44, as will be apparent. A particular advantage of the above described construction will be seen from the fact that the set screws 74 engage the vertical side walls 60 of the tenons 44 in a manner such that laterally directed forces exerted by the set screws 74 are applied at right angles to the side walls 60 so as to optimize the compressive engagement between the set screws 74 and tenons 44 and effectively lockingly secure the retaining members 34 on the base members 32.

The lower split rings 36 comprise integral segmental annular side wall sections 78 which project upwardly and terminate in thickened horizontal, laterally outwardly extending flanges 80 that are formed with one or more vertical threaded bores 81. A semi-cylindrical surface 82 is defined by each of the wall sections 78, which surfaces 82 are formed on a radius corresponding to the tube portion 26 of telescopic sight 20, whereby to provide a cradle for nestingly receiving the same.

The telescopic sight 20 is firmly retained upon or engaged with the surfaces 82 by means of the upper split rings 38 which define semi-cylindrical surfaces 84 that cooperate with the surfaces 82 in fully encircling the tube portion 26 of the sight 20. Each of the upper split rings 38 is formed with thickened horizontal, laterally outwardly extending flanges 86 adapted to bear upon the flanges 80 of the lower split ring 36. The flanges 86 are formed with one or more vertical counterbored openings 88 adapted for vertical alignment with the threaded bores 81 formed in the outwardly extending flanges 80 of the lower split rings 36, the openings 88 and bores 81 being adapted to receive suitable screws, bolts or the like 90 having enlarged head portions 92. As best seen in FIG. 3, the screws 90 extend downwardly through the counterbored openings 88 and are threadably engaged with the threaded bores 81, thereby threadably affixing the upper rings 38 to the lower rings 36 and positively retaining the telescopic sight 20 therebetween.

It will be seen from the above that the interchanging of telescopic sights may be expeditiously achieved without requiring disassociation of split rings 36 and 38 from the various sights which are to be interchanged. When an interchange of sights is desired, the set screws 64 are merely loosened and the particular sight, such as the sight 20, together with the sight retaining members 34 attached thereto, is slidably disengaged from the base members 32. The telescopic sight that is to be used as a replacement is provided with its own pair of retaining members that are identical to the members 34 and which have been preafiixed thereto and adapted for sliding engagement with the base members 32. The new sight may then be secured to the firearm 10 by properly tightening the set screws 64, as will be apparent, thereby completing the transition from one telescopic sight to another.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment illustrated herein is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the scope of the invention. I claim: I 1. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a firearm provided with standard iron sights, I

a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm and defining an aperture providing a view of the iron sights,

fastening means for securing said lower base member to a firearm and means on said lower base member providing access to said fastening means,

a telescopic sight retaining member adapted to be affixed to the telescope sight,

cooperable mounting means on said lower base member and said telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining member to said base member,

said mounting means including complementary projection means on one of said members and recess means on the other of said members, whereby said members are longitudinally slidably engageable with each other,

said projection means comprising a generally laterally inwardly inclined surface and a generally vertically disposed surface,

locking means extending laterally of said other member and engageable with said vertically disposed surface for lockingly securing said members against relative longitudinal sliding movement,

said mounting means including means providing access to said fastening means. 2. in combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a firearm provided with standard iron sights,

means including an access opening in said ring-shaped portion of said base member providing access to said fastening means.

4. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight a pair of longitudinally spaced mounting assemblies, each of 5 t0 3 firearm Provided with Standard iron sights.

said assemblies comprising a first generally ring-shaped member having a mounting portion on the lower end thereof,

fastener means extending between the firearm and said mounting portion for operatively securing said first member to the firearm,

each of said assemblies further comprising a second generally ring-shaped member consisting of a pair of split ring elements adapted to be affixed to the telescopic sight,

cooperable attachment means on the lower ends of said second members and the upper ends of said first members for securing said members together,

said attachment means including complimentary tenon and tenon receiving recess means on said first and second members, and

means on said first members providing access to said fastener means.

3. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a firearm provided with standard iron sights,

a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm,

said lower base member including a longitudinally extending mounting portion and a ring-shaped portion defining a central aperture providing a view of the iron sights of said firearm,

a generally ring-shaped telescopic sight retaining member adapted to be affixed to the telescopic sight,

cooperable mounting means on said ,lower base member and said telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining member to said base member,

said mounting means including complementary-shaped tenon and tenon receiving recess means on confronting portions of said base and retaining members,

fastening means for securing said mounting portion of said base member to the firearm, and

a pair of longitudinally spaced mounting assemblies,

each of said assemblies comprising a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm,

said lower base members including longitudinally aligned central apertures providing a view of the iron sights of said firearm,

each of said assemblies further comprising a generally ringshaped telescopic sight retaining member adapted to be afiixed to the telescope sight, and

cooperable mounting means on said lower base members and said telescope retaining members for detachably securing said retaining members to the associated of said base members,

said mounting means including tenon means extending longitudinally and upwardly from said base members and complementary-shaped tenon receiving recess means on cornronting portions of said retaining members adapted to slidably engage said tenon means.

5. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a firearm provided with standard iron sights,

a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm,

said lower base member including a central aperture providing a view of the iron sights of said firearm,

a telescopic sight retaining member comprising a pair of split ring elements adapted to be affixed to the telescope coogerable mounting means on said lower base member and said telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining member to said base member,

said mounting means including complementary shaped longitudinally slideably engageable tenon and tenon receiving means on confronting portions of said base and retaining members, and

means for limiting relative longitudinal sliding movement of said retaining member relative to said base member. 

1. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a firearm provided with standard iron sights, a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm and defining an aperture providing a view of the iron sights, fastening means for securing said lower base member to a firearm and means on said lower base member providing access to said fastening means, a telescopic sight retaining member adapted to be affixed to the telescope sight, cooperable mounting means on said lower base member and said telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining member to said base member, said mounting means including complementary projection means on one of said members and recess means on the other of said members, whereby said members are longitudinally slidably engageable with each other, said projection means comprising a generally laterally inwardly inclined surface and a generally vertically disposed surface, locking means extending laterally of said other member and engageable with said vertically disposed surface for lockingly securing said members against relative longitudinal sliding movement, said mounting means including means providing access to said fastening means.
 2. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic signt to a firearm provided with standard iron sights, a pair of longitudinally spaced mounting assemblies, each of said assemblies comprising a first generally ring-shaped member having a mounting portion on the lower end thereof, fastener means extending between the firearm and said mounting portion for operatively securing said first member to the firearm, each of said assemblies further comprising a second generally ring-shaped member consisting of a pair of split ring elements adapted to be affixed to the telescopic sight, cooperable attachment means on the lower ends of said second members and the upper ends of said first members for securing said members together, said attachment means including complimentary tenon and tenon receiving recess means on said first and second members, and means on said first members providing access to said fastener means.
 3. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a firearm provided with standard iron sights, a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm, said lower base member including a longitudinally extending mounting portion and a ring-shaped portion defining a central aperture providing a view of the iron sights of said firearm, a generally ring-shaped telescopic sight retaining member adapted to be affixed to the telescopic sight, cooperable mounting means on said lower base member and said telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining member to said base member, said mounting means including complementary-shaped tenon and tenon receiving recess means on confronting portions of said base and retaining members, fastening means for securing said mounting portion of said base member to the firearm, and means including an access opening in said ring-shaped portion of said base member providing access to said fastening means.
 4. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a firearm provided with standard iron sights, a pair of longitudinally spaced mounting assemblies, each of said assemblies comprising a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm, said lower base members including longitudinally aligned central apertures providing a view of the iron sights of said firearm, each of said assemblies further Comprising a generally ring-shaped telescopic sight retaining member adapted to be affixed to the telescope sight, and cooperable mounting means on said lower base members and said telescope retaining members for detachably securing said retaining members to the associated of said base members, said mounting means including tenon means extending longitudinally and upwardly from said base members and complementary-shaped tenon receiving recess means on confronting portions of said retaining members adapted to slidably engage said tenon means.
 5. In combination in a mount for securing a telescopic sight to a firearm provided with standard iron sights, a generally ring-shaped lower base member adapted to be affixed to said firearm, said lower base member including a central aperture providing a view of the iron sights of said firearm, a telescopic sight retaining member comprising a pair of split ring elements adapted to be affixed to the telescope sight, cooperable mounting means on said lower base member and said telescope retaining member for detachably securing said retaining member to said base member, said mounting means including complementary shaped longitudinally slideably engageable tenon and tenon receiving means on confronting portions of said base and retaining members, and means for limiting relative longitudinal sliding movement of said retaining member relative to said base member. 